January, 2006 No. 12
The
Muse
Brooklyn HS of the Arts Newsletter on Writing
Robert Finley, Principal	M. Bressi, AP Humanities/Editor

*** WRITING CONTESTS *** WRITING CONTESTS ***

OPRAH'S NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY
CONTEST
On January 16, 2006, on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah announced her new book club selection—Night, by Elie Wiesel.
Declaring that the book should be mandatory reading for person on the planet, Oprah is promoting a National High School Essay Contest.
The essay contest is open to high school students across America. A panel of learned judges will select 50 high school students as finalists. Each finalist, along with one designated parent or guardian, will receive a trip to a special Oprah Show taping in February.
To support this nationwide initiative, Oprah's website— Oprah.com—is offering comprehensive study materials for students, teachers and parents. This is an important book that Oprah hopes will be discussed in homes and schools across America
The deadline for entries is Monday, February 6,2006,.
For all the details on Oprah's National High School Essay Contest, and to print your permission and entry forms, visit Oprah.com.

NEW YORK CITY HISTORY DAY COMPETITION
The Museum of the City of New York invites students to participate in New York City History Day on March 19, 2006.
By participating in History Day, students can explore history in new and different ways and they can express themselves creatively through presentations of historical topics in various formats.
This education program engages students in grades 6-12 in the process of discovery and interpretation of historical topics. Students produce imaginative exhibits, multimedia documentaries, dramatic performances, or expository papers based on research related to a theme. This year's theme is Taking A Stand In History: People, Ideas, Events.
Awards include $1000 for gold medal winners, $500 for silver medal winners, and $250 for bronze medal winners. There is also a special History Channel prize of $5000.
For a curriculum guide, an application, and contest rules, see Mr. Bressi in room 210 or visit www.nhd.org.

New York City High School Poetry Festival
New York City High School students are invited to participate in the New York City Annual High School Poetry Festival.
Cash awards of $500, $300, and $200 will go to the first, second, and third place student poets. Honorable mentions will receive $25 awards.
Only ONE student poet per school may enter the contest. The poet may be the winner of a school wide contest or may be selected by the Assistant Principal of English, with the approval of the Principal.
Interested students must submit poems to Mr. Bressi by March 1, 2006.
For details visit www.ccny.edu/poetryoutreachcenter